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[Sup]

One more thing; The names of the characters comign up isn't special at all. Every MGS game has had introductions (names and actors) when each new character comes on screen.

A little bit of text overlaid on the (real time, althought not in game) cutscene isn't going to put undo strain on the console.

[Hatchetforce]

One more thing; The names of the characters comign up isn't special at all. Every MGS game has had introductions (names and actors) when each new character comes on screen.

A little bit of text overlaid on the (real time, althought not in game) cutscene isn't going to put undo strain on the console.

But what you don't realize is that isn't actual real time rendering with names over laid. It is added in during the movie editing process. It is not overlaid on real time code being run.

[Sup]

The rest were movies that were filmed using the gutted and scripted game engine. That lets developers adjust the music and sound, add in any effects, add FSAA and then speed up the frame rate, adjust the color, etc.

That isn't true. You're describing FMV, where what the MGS games use are in engine cutscenes. Rendered in real time, in the game's engine. Not gameplay, so no stress from AI or physics or anythign else (which allows them to use additional graphical effects; a great example is the DOF in Halo2's cutscenes,) but it's still in engine, being rendered in real time.

Edit: the final proof of my point is the 'pop in' in Halo2's cutscenes. In engine game cutscens are just that; real time, rendered in the engine.

Edit: If I may also point out, at some points in MGS3 you can actually (very slightly) turn the camera. Not just pan, but actually (subtley) change the angle of your view. I'm not sure how that could be done in a pre-recorded video.

[Hatchetforce]

The rest were movies that were filmed using the gutted and scripted game engine. That lets developers adjust the music and sound, add in any effects, add FSAA and then speed up the frame rate, adjust the color, etc.

That isn't true. You're describing FMV, where what the MGS games use are in engine cutscenes. Rendered in real time, in the game's engine. Not gameplay, so no stress from AI or physics or anythign else (which allows them to use additional graphical effects; a great example is the DOF in Halo2's cutscenes,) but it's still in engine, being rendered in real time.

Edit: the final proof of my point is the 'pop in' in Halo2's cutscenes. In engine game cutscens are just that; real time, rendered in the engine.

What don't you understand ######. Remember in MGS2 when Snake first reaches the bridge of the Tanker? That is the only game engine cutscene run in real time. Look at it. Go pull it out. It is easy to spot. The rest are FMVs that used the game engine. The studio renders it with the game engine, then they refine it, alias it, adjust the lighting, add text, etc. then record it on the disk. Look at MGS 3. I have the new Subsitence Collector's Edition. It has Extinction. Know what that is jackass? It is the disk of all the MOVIES from MGS 3. The problem is that in order to make the story flow, they had to use actual scripted game sequences run without having been editied in the studio to tie the story together. Boy does the difference between the ADJUSTED MOVIES MADE WITH THE GAME ENGINE and SCRIPTED GAME SEQUENCES IN ENGINE show. Here you hammerhead:

http://ps2.ign.com/articles/694/694801p4.html

The third and final disc will only be found in the limited edition of Subsistence. Known as Existence, it holds the re-edited footage of every cinematic from Snake Eater into a full-length movie. Actually, it's more than your standard length film -- it comes across more like an epic. Featuring new narration, more than three and a half hours of cutscenes with new camera angles, and soundtrack underscoring (with techno beats during action sequences), along with an option to view the film with English or Spanish subtitles, this is the definitive vision of the story of Snake Eater through Kojima's eyes. As an added bonus, the disc holds the 2005 TGS trailer for Metal Gear Solid 4, which gives a glimpse of what the future adventures of Snake will bring.

Remaking the footage to build a fully scripted film is a great idea -- in theory. In practice it's somewhat underwhelming for a number of reasons. First, there's a new narrator providing summary information in-between chapters and for major transitions that has never been featured in the game. It's not voiced by Major Tom, Sigint or any other character, making some of the moves between sections feel disconnected and more contrived than establishing a natural flow.

Secondly, the break in video between native cutscenes from the original Snake Eater and gameplay footage culled together to fill in the missing spaces is extremely jarring and noticeable because of the shift in quality. In fact, you'll detect a lot of artifacting and blurring of action thanks to new camera angles. Most of these happen during boss fights and other "transitional" moments where Snake is taking opponents down or moving from area to area. It would've been great if these sections were redone entirely with new cutscenes, or there was an option to plug in the original and improved footage.

Don't expect another answer. Go get on your shortbus somewhere and ride into the sunset.

Edited May 13, 2006 by Hatchetforce

[Sup]

I'm impressed with your faith in the Playstation2.

I had no idea that it's disks could hold hours of (clearly entirely uncompressed) high resolution footage, and then suddenly (without a moment's slowdown) recall and stream it. Even for about a second after you remove the disk!

In all seriousness, I assure you that I'm right about this. If you need to pull someone who's knowledge of game development you actually respect to verify it, it's fine, but really, the cutscenes in MGS 2 and 3 are rendered in real time (as are most videogame cutscenes, and by very definition all in engine cutscenes.)

A 'scripted sequence' in game is one thing.

A scripted sequence of specifically made and carefully adjusted animations and effects rendered in real time is entirely different, and what you see in an in engine cutscene.